MASKED raiders escaped with cash after ramming a truck into a Post Office.

At 5.30pm on Wednesday (Feb 12), two men reversed a Ford Ranger into the back of the Post Office, in West Street, Radcliffe. During their third attempt, the brickwork gave way and part of the wall collapsed. The pair climbed through the hole and into the building, taking items, including bundles of cash, while a 45-year-old female member of staff hid.

The Ford Ranger was left at the back of the Post Office and the raiders escaped in a Ford Cougar, which had been parked nearby. The getaway car was found abandoned in Belmont Road, Radcliffe.

A nearby shopworker saw the incident as he left work. The 44-year-old said: "As I went to get into my van, I noticed a couple of vehicles parked at the back of the Post Office but didn't really think anything of it. As I was backing out, I heard a bang and just thought that someone has reversed into the wall by accident.

"Then I heard voices and thought it might be a domestic, but I heard a bang again and realised what was happening."

Now staff at neighbouring business fear that they could also be targets for similar raids. Alex Burden, assistant manager at the Dunelm home furnishing store, said: "I think people around this area are quite worried. Things like this seem to be happening all the time across Greater Manchester.

"We are now thinking of stepping up our security arrangements inside and outside the store, including cameras and panic buttons to help stop something like this happening."

The two men were described as 6ft tall, of stocky build. They were dressed in dark clothes and wore balaclavas.